World Cup 2019: Alex Hales out of England's 15-man squad

A replacement of Alex Hales will be announced in due course of time, said the ECB in their statement

In a major blow to the England cricket team, opener Alex Hales has been withdrawn from the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, scheduled to kickstart from May 30. Confirming the development on Monday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stated that he will not travel to Ireland for the one-off ODI against Ireland and has also been axed from the subsequent limited-overs series against Pakistan. The 30-year-old is currently serving a three-week ban from cricket for recreational drug use. Earlier this month, it was announced that Hales had ‘made himself unavailable for selection for personal reasons’, stepping away from both Nottinghamshire and England selection as the new season got underway.

ECB Official Statement - Alex Hales.

— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) April 29, 2019

Commenting on the decision, Ashley Giles, ECB managing director of men's cricket, said, “We have thought long and hard about this decision. We have worked hard to create the right environment around the England team and need to consider what is in the best interests of the team, to ensure they are free from any distractions and able to focus on being successful on the pitch.” The development has come as yet another blow to Hales, who was fined and suspended last year after he and Ben Stokes were involved in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub in September 2017. “I want to make it clear this is not the end of Alex's career as an England player. The ECB and the PCA will continue to aid Alex and work alongside his county club Nottinghamshire to give him the support he needs, to help him fulfil his potential as a professional cricketer,” Giles said. His replacement will be announced in due course of time, said the ECB in their statement.